BOISE -- An Idaho legislator wants to get rid of words like "lunatic" and "retarded" from state laws, saying they're outdated and disrespectful.
Boise Democrat Senator Les Bock says changing language in the state code will help educate the public -- and send a message Idaho doesn't tolerate insulting language.
He says person with mental issues should be referred to as "intellectually disabled," instead.
He introduced legislation Monday that amends every law he could find that currently uses words like "mentally deficient," "idiot," and "handicapped."
He told the Senate Judiciary and Rules committee he was reading a bill last year that included the words "mentally retarded."
He worked with advocacy groups for people with disabilities and state agencies over the summer to find and replace language they considered objectionable.
